“A mind, when open, creates a door to possibilities. When closed, it builds an insurmountable wall. Only we can decide which one we construct.”– Dr. Robyn Silverman - Kapatid Martial Arts Academy’sChild Development Expert
December 2009 is Open-Mindedness Month as part of Kapatid Martial Arts Academy’s POWerful Words Character Development program! Students will be studying, developing and experiencing powerful life lessons focusing on how to safely, responsibly, and successfully open their minds. In addition to all of the physical skills that they’ll be developing this month, students will be discussing and practicing the following concepts that will help them to realize the value and benefit of being an open-minded member of our community. Students will be focusing on the following topics both in and out of class:
Just Try it: Trying new things that seem different or strange.
New People: Being open to differences as well as similarities.
New Ideas: Listening to new ideas and new ways of doing things.
Celebrate: Differences and similarities in holidays, language and appearance.
“Open-mindedness is a wonderful gift to nurture children’s curiosity and expose them to ideas, cultures, foods and people who can positively impact their lives!” says Dr. Robyn Silverman, Kapatid Martial Arts Academy’s child & adolescent expert, and creator of the POWerful Words Character Development program used at the facility.
Patrick Consing, Executive Director of Kapatid Martial Arts Academy says, “Open-Mindedness is going to be a fantastic month here at our school. The opportunity to help our students enjoy the benefits of being open to new people, new ideas and new experiences is really exciting…our students are sure to benefit both here, at school and out in the real world!” We are confident that open-mindedness is one of the deciding factors in helping a person become and stay successful. This month’s curriculum is sure to be life changing for many of our students! We’re proud to be surrounded with spectacular and caring students and are honored to help them develop themselves for a future filled with success.”
Kapatid Martial Arts Academy’s strong curriculum and the POWerful Words Character Development system provide our students with the opportunities to become UNSTOPPABLE in life. These lessons will remain with our students for life and we’re honored to help them achieve the success that they deserve” says Consing.
This month’s Powerful Word of the Month is Courtesy.
Many people believe that courtesy is a lost cause. Manners have been replaced by abrupt abbreviations over email and text and “can I help” has turned into “I just don’t have the time.”
But is time really a concern when it comes to courtesy? Have people just gotten lazy?
Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote “Life is not so short but that there is always time for courtesy.”
What do you think? As teens, adults, and leaders we have to make the decision.
The children are looking to us to see if courtesy is really necessary or if they can just go, go, go without consideration for anyone else.
Are please, thank-you, you’re welcome, excuse me, pardon me, I’m sorry, and can I help really “lost causes” or, as leaders, can we revive or resuscitate them again?
How are you doing so far in ‘09? I hope this month’s Powerful Word finds you in good spirit and great attitude. This month’s Powerful Word is Confidence, created by the nation’s leading Child Development Specialist, Dr. Robyn Silverman.
This is one of my favorite martial arts characteristics. If there is one thing that is the outcome of all the training and philosophy of the martial arts it’s the power to believe in yourself. Kapatid Martial Arts Academy prides ourselves in developing the confidence of all the men, women, and children that are members of our academy.
How is Confidence built? - You build up your confidence, one challenge at a time. Once you conquer or tackle a challenge and overcome it, that becomes a stepping stone or platform for you to reach for higher goals and aspirations. When you master a challenge/problem over and over again, it boosts you to see what else you can achieve.
For example, when a child who is shy and timid, and lacks the self-esteem to come to class, the solution there is to just take the first step in class. I wouldn’t throw them right away into the fire, just to see them burn… Baby steps, till they can walk on their own.
The late Martin Luther King Jr once said, “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.“ The goal in the martial arts is to achieve the Black Belt. Now to a beginner that can be like telling you to climb Mt Everest. I’m not going to fool you by saying things will be easy. The path towards your mastery will have many twists and turns along with road blocks. You will get bumps and bruises along the way. As your coach, I am your bumper rails to keep you on the path, on track towards your personal mastery.
Who you and/or child associates with also makes a difference. Surround yourself with positive successful people, you too will be successful. Surround yourself with individuals who are confident in their abilities, you too will gain confidence in your abilities.
But if you hang out with people who are all about doom and gloom, saying things like “But what if I fail? what if things don’t workout as planned?”, you need to put yourself in check and protect yourself against those kinds of people. It’s a bully method. They will justify their attitude and behavior by telling you it’s alright not to take action, because by not taking action you can’t fail. WRONG! By not taking action, you don’t move forward either!
Just like leadership, you are not born with Confidence. It’s not built overnight, but it starts instantly with you. Make the CHOICE to live with CONFIDENCE. DECIDE NOW!
To Your Success,
PS. Here’s this month’s message from the Powerful Words creator, Dr. Robyn Silverman:
PPS. Congratulations Dr. Robyn and Jason Silverman for the birth of their adoptive daughter, Talia Paige!!!
